| Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 4 Member | OP Member Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 4 | This weekend I took Tim to the ER because he had developed pneumonia , the antibiotics were not doing the trick. He had a CT scan done to confirm the pneumonia, the ER physician came in and said that yes, he had pneumonia AND they thought the cancer was back. We were furious! It was a horrible thing to have to hear when he was already very sick. I can't verify who made the actual diagnosis.(was it the doctor, a technician ?) We already have appointments scheduled with ENT and PCP, so we'll have the right people looking at the CT, as well as ordering additional tests. We were feeling better about the recent surgery, even though we haven't figured out the next course of treatment. Any suggestions? I think I'm just venting because I'm sick over the thought of another recurrance and the way the whole thing wasn't handled in the ER. I thought the first rule of a physician is "do no harm" I feel as though a great deal of damage has been done to our confidence/peace of mind and blood pressure! and I'm starting to lose it. Tim ended up staying in the hospital over the weekend, is now home and is feeling much better. Thanks for listening!
Catherine, wife and best friend of Tim, who is a 13 year survivor of cancer on tonsil. Went through a tx of radiation and chemo. Recurrence in March 2013. Underwent a radical neck dissection and reconstructive surgery. Currently in a "wait and see" mode.
| | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Don't get too down about an ER doctor seeing or saying something. Your regular docs have more history and information. Be patient if that is even possible. Best wishes for just some infection and inflammation. One step at a time.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0 Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03 Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08. Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11 Cervical Myelitis 09/12 Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12 Dysautonomia 11/12 Hospice care 09/12-01/13. COPD 01/14 Intermittent CHF 6/15 Feeding tube NPO 03/16 VFI 12/2016 ORN 12/2017 Cardiac Event 06/2018 Bilateral VFI 01/2021 Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022 Bilateral VFI 05/2022 Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 |
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Catherine, I agree with Uptown. Wait to hear it directly from the ENT. They probably went off the CT scan and jumped the gun over scar tissue. At least I am really hoping thats the case.
Wishing you all the best with the upcoming tests! Hope your husband gets well quickly from the pneumonia. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 4 Member | OP Member Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 4 | Thanks all! I'm taking your advise and cooling down a bit! Our head and neck surgeons are on it and went ahead and ordered a PET scan and read me the notes from his last scope on6.24, when no evidence of recurrence was noted. So, yes, all is good, just need to remember to not over react,yet remain proactive.
Catherine, wife and best friend of Tim, who is a 13 year survivor of cancer on tonsil. Went through a tx of radiation and chemo. Recurrence in March 2013. Underwent a radical neck dissection and reconstructive surgery. Currently in a "wait and see" mode.
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Definitely an ER dr. May not necessarily know what he/she is looking at. Hugs.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 3 "OCF Canuck" Member | "OCF Canuck" Member Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 3 | My hubby by just was diagnosed with pneumonia as well. Meds worked, we finished them and the cough is back. X-ray showed nothing in lungs, but we are having a CAT scan soon to confirm. Getting a large dose radiation blast this week for our 5th recurrance in 2 yrs. ER drs are not dumb, but they also aren't always correct or have a definitive diagnosis based on tests. Please wait for the radiologist and your specialists to view, review, discuss and diagnose. As caregivers we are like sponges and every word matters, but unfortunately as ER Drs we sometimes say things forgetting this literal absorption. It has been interesting being on both ends and seeing this. You guys are surviours don't forget that. Please keep us informed. | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Catherine, You have every reason to stay calm until you hear from the the ENT. My son had pneumonia, too and something showed up on his lung but it turned out to be scar tissue. And he's been fine ever since!
Anne-Marie CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
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